Join filmmaker Garland McLaurin as he talks about the making of POPS, an 11 part webseries that addresses the reality and challenges of 21st century parenthood for African American fathers. He will show parts of the series and talk about the journey of getting into production and more.

The media narrative of the deadbeat black father is generally accepted as a fact of life for African American children. Buried beneath these assumptions are the facts of black fatherhood that dispel some of those stereotypes.

The web series follows the parenting experiences of Shaka Senghor, La Guardia Cross Jr., and the Stroman-Inniss family during the course of a year. Each father explores the universal themes of responsibility, nurturing and love. They differ in personalities, socioeconomic backgrounds and struggles but share the collective experience of fatherhood. Their stories serve to reflect the reality of black fathers in America.

The series unfolds over 11 episodes, during the course of a calendar year. Shot in verité documentary style rich with raw, intimate moments, each character reveals what fatherhood looks like in their world.

Director Garland McLaurin is a Peabody-Award winning filmmaker whose project POPS, was funded by ITVS Digital and National Black Programming Consortium. He also co-directed/produced the Peabody winning documentary series, “180 Days A Year Inside An American High School" and "Hartsville” that aired on PBS.

This ia part of the Documentary Forum at CCNY and TWN Evening Seminar series and is cosponsored by Black Public Media.